John Muir Trail
The John Muir Trail is a renowned hiking trail in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, stretching approximately 211 miles from Yosemite National Park to Sequoia National Park. Named after naturalist John Muir, who profoundly influenced conservation efforts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the trail showcases breathtaking landscapes shaped by glacial activity. The establishment of the trail was legislated in 1915, but its construction faced numerous challenges due to the rugged terrain and financial limitations, particularly during the Great Depression. Despite these obstacles, collaborative efforts between the National Park Service and the Forest Service successfully completed the trail in 1938. Today, the John Muir Trail is celebrated for its natural beauty and is accessible to hikers, requiring a permit from the National Forest Service. It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of conservation and outdoor exploration inspired by Muir's passion for the wilderness.
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John Muir Trail
Identication Trail connecting California’s Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks
The trail named for conservationist John Muir provided a pedestrian gateway through the Sierra Nevadas.
Muir arrived in the Sierra Nevadas in California in 1869. He climbed many of the mountains and determined that many of the long valleys, such as Yosemite Valley, had been scoured out by valley glaciers. He published a number of stories about his adventures in books and magazines, which made him famous. He also lectured on the geology and landscapes of this region. Muir became concerned about the destruction of this landscape by people, so his talks and publications were directed toward the conservation of the area. His efforts helped earn designation as national parks for the Yosemite and Sequoia areas. Muir also cofounded a conservation group called the Sierra Club in 1892. He became friends with President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902 and helped convince him to establish many more national parks and increase the amount of national forests.
In 1915, the California legislature passed a law to develop a trail from Yosemite National Park to Sequoia National Park to be named the John Muir Trail. The construction of many parts of the trail was not easy work, as some portions had to be carved out of steep mountainsides and a number of bridges had to be built. From 1916 to 1930, money continued to be allocated by California to carry out this work, but the trail was not completed during this time. During the Depression, California could not allocate any more money to finish the most difficult portions of the trail. However, the National Park Service and the Forest Service worked together to complete one of these portions in 1932. Finally, the Forest Service completed the last portion in 1938.
Impact
A major trail through some of the most beautiful portions of the Sierra Nevada was developed by the National Park Service and the Forest Service to be enjoyed by many persons. Those interested need only to obtain a permit from the National Forest Service to use the trail.
Bibliography
Roth, Hal. Pathway in the Sky. Berkeley, Calif.: Howell-North Books, 1965.
Wink, Elizabeth, and Kathy Morey. John Muir Trail. Berkeley, Calif.: Wilderness Press, 2007.
Witt, Greg. Ultimate Adventures. New York: Rough Guides, 2008.